Utilization of cellulosic cassava waste for bio-ethanol production

Cassava cellulosic waste (Manihot esculenta,) obtained from starch processing was utilized in this work for bio-ethanol production. The chemical composition such as insoluble carbohydrate, protein, fibre and residual starch content of the waste was determined. The substrate was then hydrolysed (acidic and enzymatic), saccharified and fermented using α-amylase/HCl, amyloglucosidase and Saccharomyces cerevisiae respectively. The results showed that combination of enzymatic and acid hydrolysis recovered much of the starch and cellulose than when either of them was used. Dilute HCl was more helpful in converting the cellulosic materials to reducing sugars. A total of 32.4% alcohol (2.7 g ethanol/15 g cellulosic waste) was obtained which indicates that cassava wastes actually could be transformed to chemicals for use as fuels, biochemicals, synthetic intermediates etc.